Detergent applicator for water hoses



Oct. 23, 1956 A. H. ROWLETT 2, I

DETERGENT APPLICATOR FOR WATER HOSES Filed April 18, 1955- Allen H. Row/eff v INVENTOR.

United States Patent 6 DETERGENT APPLICATOR FOR WATER HOSES Allen H. Rowlett, Washington, D. C. Application April 18, 1955, Serial No. 501,857

2 Claims. (Cl. 299-84) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in dispensing means, and more specifically to a dispenser for use in conjunction with water hoses.

In the washing of vehicles, it is necessary that a suitable soap or detergent be added to the wash water. Ordinarily, this necessitates the use of a bucket of water having the soap or detergent disposed therein. However, by adding the detergent or soap to the water from a water hose, the bucket of soapy water could be eliminated.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved detergent applicator for use in conjunction with Water hoses, the detergent applicator being merely placed within the water hose and dispensing detergent into the stream of water passing through the hose.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved detergent applicator, the detergent applicator being provided with means for dispensing minute quantities of detergent into water passing through a water hose, the detergent dispenser or applicator also including a mixing chamber to facilitate the proper mixing of the detergent with the water.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved detergent applicator, the detergent applicator including a reservoir for detergents, the reservoir having a single intermediate opening, the opening being intended to have a dual function, both as an inlet for water and as an outlet for combined water and detergent.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a water hose adjacent a nozzle end thereof, a portion only of the nozzle being shown in section, there being disposed in the water hose the detergent applicator Which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken through the detergent application which is the subject of this invention and shows the general details thereof, an intermediate portion of the detergent dispenser being broken away; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the detergent applicator and shows the specific details thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the detergent applicator which is the subject of this invention, the detergent applicator being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The detergent applicator includes a mixing chamber, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12, at one end thereof, and a reservoir, which is referred to in general by reference numeral 14, at the opposite end thereof.

The detergent applicator 10 is formed from an elon- 2 gated tube 16 which is provided adjacent one end thereof with a partition wall 18. The partition wall 18 separates the mixing chamber 12 from the reservoir 14.

The reservoir 14 has the end thereof remote from the partition Wall 18 closed by a removable closure plug 20. The closure plug 20 includes an outer portion 22 of a diameter equal to the diameter of the tube 16, and an inner portion 24, the inner portion 24 being in the form of a plug, which is of a diameter to be snugly received within the tube 16.

It is'the intention of this invention to have detergents or other material to be applied with a water stream dis posed within the reservoir 14. This is accomplished by removing the closure 20 and placing the material to be dispensed within the reservoir 14 through the open end of the tube 16. In order that the material may be dispensed from the reservoir 14, there is formed in the tube 16 intermediate the ends of the reservoir 14 a small orifice or opening 26.

The mixing chamber 12 is in the form of a continuation of the tube 16 and has a free end thereof open. Formed in the tube 16 at that part thereof forming the mixing chamber 12 is a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally spaced openings 28.

Referring now to Figure l in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional garden hose 30 having a fitting 32 at one end thereof. Secured to the fitting 32 is a conventional type of nozzle 34. Disposed within the water hose 30 adjacent the nozzle 34 is the detergent applicator which is the subject of this invention.

The detergent applicator 10 is held against the nozzle 34 by the pressure of the Water within the garden hose 30. As the water is initially turned on in the garden hose 30, it flows into the reservoir 14 through the orifice 26. The water within the reservoir 14 then mixes with the detergent disposed therein to form a detergent solution. As the flow of water in the garden hose 30 increases, a vacuum is set up outside the tube 16, with the result that the detergent solution is withdrawn through the orifice 26. Due to the variance in flow about the detergent applicator 10, the cycle is repeated constantly, and inasmuch as water moves both into and out of the tube 16 through the orifice 26, plugging of the orifice 26 is prevented.

After the detergent solution has entered into the stream of water passing through the garden hose 30, it then moves towards the nozzle 34. The tube 16 forming the detergent applicator 10 is of a size to substantially block the nozzle 34. Accordingly, it is necessary that all water, as well as the detergent solution, pass through the mixing chamber 12. The passage of the water and detergent solution into the mixing chamber 12 through the various openings 28 effects a swirling motion to the water and detergent solution so as to assure a proper mixing of the two.

While the invention is primarily intended for use with detergents, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be so limited. If desired, other materials, such as liquid or finely ground fertilizer, may be dispensed, utilizing the applicator 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A dispensing device for use with water hoses, said dispensing device comprising an elongated tube having a mixing chamber at one end thereof, a reservoir at the opposite end thereof, a partition in said tube completely separating said mixing chamber and said reservoir, a removable cap closing said opposite end of said tube and a single intermediate combination inlet and outlet opening in said reservoir, 'sa'id mixing chamber being in the form of an extension of said reservoir and having circumferentially and longitudinally spaced water passages therethrough.

2. In combination with a Water supply line and a discharge nozzle, a dispensing device, said discharge nozzle and said water supply line having fluid passages extending the length thereof, the fluid passage of said nozzle being relatively small in cross-section as compared to the fluid ,passage of said water supply line, said dispensing device comprising an elongated tube, a ,partition in said tube separating said tube into a mixing chamber at one end and a reservoir at'the opposite end, a removable cap closing said opposite end, a single intemediate combination inlet and outlet opening in said reservor, said tube havng an external configuration similar to the cross-secton of said fluid passage in said nozzle, said one end being open and seated in said nozzle fluid passage, said tube being supported in said water supply line by said nozzle, said mixing chamber being .in the form of an extension of said reservoir and having circumferentially and longitudinally spaced water :passages :therethrough.

Smith Sept. 3, 1929 Armstrong Jan. 4, 1944 

